This just in via the OHL playoff game on Sportsnet:
Next years Subway super series(Canada vs Russia juniors - basically pre camp for the world juniors) will be in Vancouver and Victoria for the WHL end of the schedule.
Corey Pronman of Hockey Prospectus tweeting about Alex Grenier:
@coreypronman
This Alex Grenier kid is quite impressive. Kudos to Canucks scouts for finding him.
Too early for me to tell re: Grenier, but he certainly has offensive tools. RT @Canucks_BlueJay: @coreypronman ceiling?
@ThomasDrance his skating and puck skills have gotten praise this yr amongst scouts Ive talked to. Looks good tonight too.
@ThomasDrance kind of pick where you take a shot in the dark for good things. So far, development looking positive. https://twitter.com/#!/coreypronman
Taylor Matson still in Canucks' plans, signed to ATO.
@theshaves
Note: Signed with the Wolves, not with OKC. Wolves are playing in OKC tonight.
Doesn't mean he's in 'nucks plan. He becomes a UFA in Aug (i believe) unless the 'nucks give him a ELC. Given the depth in the NHL level at center (more so bottom 6 center) and JS likely in the plans to take over the 3rd line soon, i don't see much of a future for him here. More so if MG gives Lappy another extension after next season (which would be very likely).
Wolves are pretty short at center (more so with Bitz up, he was playing center with the Wolves) so this is just a Wolves signing.
Corey Pronman of Hockey Prospectus tweeting about Alex Grenier:
@coreypronman
This Alex Grenier kid is quite impressive. Kudos to Canucks scouts for finding him.
Too early for me to tell re: Grenier, but he certainly has offensive tools. RT @Canucks_BlueJay: @coreypronman ceiling?
@ThomasDrance his skating and puck skills have gotten praise this yr amongst scouts Ive talked to. Looks good tonight too.
@ThomasDrance kind of pick where you take a shot in the dark for good things. So far, development looking positive. https://twitter.com/#!/coreypronman
Would be great to see how he does on the Wolves next season. Wolves look like they'll be a great team next year.
Corey Pronman of Hockey Prospectus tweeting about Alex Grenier:
@coreypronman
This Alex Grenier kid is quite impressive. Kudos to Canucks scouts for finding him.
Too early for me to tell re: Grenier, but he certainly has offensive tools. RT @Canucks_BlueJay: @coreypronman ceiling?
@ThomasDrance his skating and puck skills have gotten praise this yr amongst scouts Ive talked to. Looks good tonight too.
@ThomasDrance kind of pick where you take a shot in the dark for good things. So far, development looking positive. https://twitter.com/#!/coreypronman
Hopefully taking a flyer on him in the 3rd pays off. I know you're a big proponent of advanced stats, so it's a shame they don't track more numbers in juniors and such. The Canucks would be on this like white on rice. How on earth the Sabres do what they do it only watching video is just amazing.
Feature article on goalie Joe Cannata and his recent signing trip to Vancouver and joining the Chicago Wolves.
Just when Joe Cannata didn’t think his spring break could get any better, his phone rang.
It was Mike Gillis – with great news.
On March 21st the Canucks signed the 22-year-old goaltender, drafted in the sixth round, 173rd overall by Vancouver in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, to an entry-level contract.
A few days later he was in Laurence Gilman’s office at Rogers Arena surrounded by Canucks brass, including general manager Gillis, signing on the dotted line. If his composure in this situation is indicative of how he’ll react when under fire by the opposition with a game on the line, Cannata is going to be a superstar.
“I was freaking out on the inside,” he laughed. “It’s all been so exciting. Back home it didn’t really hit me, it did a little when Mr. Gillis called, but now just being here, it’s hit me a lot more and I’m very excited for the opportunity.”
Really like Cannata. He and Lack are future... future Nucks duo.
Doubtful unless you think BOTH Loungo and Cory get dealt in the next 2 years. Remember Cory is only 2 years older than Lack. Honestly if everything goes as expected, Lack likely will only be a 'nuck for 2 more years and we'll be back in the situation we are now... who do we keep Lack or Lou/Cory.
Cannata, on the other hand, due to age difference could have a future with the 'nucks but its unlikely that its with Lack (given 2 years from now, he'll likely be the one dealt since we'll either have an elite goalie in his prime, or an elite goalie at the end of his prime but still having 4+ years left on his career contract). Cannata then could be groom'd to take over if we keep Luongo this off season given he would be entering his prime when Luongo is near the end of his career. Unless of course David Honzik finds his game again... then he could be the goalie of the future. Any way you slice it, its pretty clear MG wants to make Vancouver a goalie factory.
